Biotics

Allergens: The label carries no allergen statement. The strains, the hypromellose vegetable capsule, rice maltodextrin, and L-Leucine contain none of the eight major allergens. The Complex Marine Polysaccharide source is not disclosed on the label and is being confirmed with the manufacturer.

ALLERGENS:
The label does not carry an allergen statement. The four strains, the vegetable capsule, rice maltodextrin, and L-Leucine contain none of the eight major allergens. The Complex Marine Polysaccharide in the MAKTREK delivery system is marine-derived and its specific source is being confirmed with the manufacturer. If you have a shellfish allergy, do not take Biotics until we can confirm.

How many CFU should a probiotic have?

It depends what you're after. Most general daily-maintenance products sit in the 10 to 20 billion CFU range. Higher-count formulas in the 50 billion and up range are typically positioned for people with active gut complaints, recent antibiotic use, or high-stress schedules. Biotics delivers 60 billion CFU per serving. Worth knowing that CFU count is only one variable — which strains are in the bottle and whether they're identified by strain designation matters just as much as the number on the front.

Why do the strain codes like La-14 and Bl-04 matter?

Because a species name alone doesn't tell you much. "Lactobacillus acidophilus" is a species; La-14 is a specific strain within it. Different strains behave differently, and research is conducted on individual strains rather than on species generally. Biotics names all four — La-14, Bl-04, Lp-115, and Lpc-37 — which means you can look up exactly what you're taking. A label listing only species names gives you nothing to check.

When is the best time to take a probiotic?

Once a day, with food, at roughly the same time each day. MAKTREK® Bi-Pass Technology is designed to protect the strains through the stomach, so you're not locked into an empty-stomach window. Consistency is the variable that matters most — same time, every day, beats perfect timing occasionally.

Should you take probiotics on an empty stomach?

Some probiotic labels recommend it as a way to limit stomach acid exposure. Biotics uses an acid-resistant delivery system instead, so you can take it with a meal. Practically speaking, taking it with food is what most people find easier to stick to, and sticking to it matters more than the timing detail.

Do probiotics survive stomach acid?

Stomach acid is a hostile environment for live bacteria, and it's the central problem this whole product category has to solve. Delivery systems exist for exactly that reason. MAKTREK® Bi-Pass Technology uses a marine polysaccharide shield — disclosed on the Biotics label at 50 mg — designed to resist stomach acid and release the strains further down the digestive tract. No delivery system gets 100% of a dose through, and any brand claiming otherwise is overselling.

How long does it take for probiotics to work?

Probiotics aren't a same-day product. Supporting the bacterial population in your gut is a gradual process measured in weeks rather than meals — generally two to four weeks before anything is clearly noticeable, and four to eight before you can fairly judge a bottle. Individual responses vary quite a bit depending on your starting point, diet, and how consistent you are. Our guide to how long it takes for probiotics to work has the full week-by-week timeline. If you want same-meal effects, that's what digestive enzymes do — different mechanism entirely.

What should I expect in the first week?

Some people notice mild gas or changes in bathroom habits in the first several days as the gut adjusts. That typically settles on its own. If it doesn't, or if it's uncomfortable, stop and talk to your doctor. It's also the most common reason people quit a probiotic early, so it's worth knowing it can happen before it does.

Can I take Biotics with Digest?

Yes — they're built to work together. Take Biotics once daily with food and Digest 20 to 30 minutes before your two heaviest meals. They do different jobs: Digest supports the breakdown of the meal in front of you, Biotics supports the gut baseline over time. They don't interact. The Gut Pack bundles both and saves $15 versus buying them separately.

Is Biotics safe to take long-term?

Probiotics are intended for ongoing daily use, and there's no need to cycle off. The gut microbiome is continually challenged by diet, stress, travel, antibiotics, and age, so steady input generally makes more sense than starting and stopping. If you have a diagnosed gut condition, check with your doctor before starting or continuing.

Do I need to cycle off Biotics?

No. Unlike stimulant-based supplements, there's no tolerance to manage with a probiotic. Cycling on and off can work against the colonization you're building.

Will Biotics cause a failed drug test?

Absolutely not. All products are natural, hormone-free, and do not contain any amphetamines or substances that would trigger a failed drug test. Biotics contains probiotic bacteria, a marine polysaccharide, and a prebiotic fiber — none of which appear on any drug-testing panel. If you're subject to DOT, federal, military, or NCAA testing, review the full ingredient list with your testing administrator before starting any supplement.

Is Biotics for men or for women?

Both. The four strains and the delivery system support gut health, immune function, and digestion the same way regardless of sex. Biotics is formulated for the general adult gut microbiome.

Does Biotics need to be refrigerated?

No. It's shelf-stable. Store it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight — which does mean a truck dash in August isn't the right spot, but a lunch cooler, gym bag, or job-site locker is fine.

Why does Biotics include FOS?

Fructooligosaccharide is a prebiotic fiber, and having a prebiotic alongside a probiotic is what makes a formula a synbiotic. Being straight about scale: it's disclosed at 20 mg, which is a formulation inclusion rather than a meaningful fiber dose — prebiotic research works in grams. If you want real prebiotic intake, that comes from food. Beans, onions, oats, and high-fiber vegetables.

Can I take Biotics if I'm lactose intolerant?

Yes. Biotics contains no dairy or milk-derived ingredients. The strains themselves are dairy-free, even though Lactobacillus is commonly associated with fermented dairy — the name refers to the genus, not the source. The other ingredients are a hypromellose vegetable capsule, rice maltodextrin, and L-Leucine.

Does Biotics contain shellfish?

The label doesn't carry an allergen statement, and we'd rather tell you that than guess on your behalf. The four strains, the vegetable capsule, rice maltodextrin, and L-Leucine contain none of the eight major allergens. The Complex Marine Polysaccharide in the MAKTREK delivery system is marine-derived, and we're confirming the specific source with the manufacturer. If you have a shellfish allergy, hold off on Biotics until we can state it plainly.

Who shouldn't take Biotics?

Anyone under 18. Anyone severely immunocompromised, since probiotic supplements aren't recommended without medical supervision. Talk to your doctor first if you're pregnant or nursing, have a diagnosed gut condition such as IBS, IBD, or SIBO, are currently on antibiotics or immunosuppressant medication, or take any prescription medication.